The signs that something is not working are familiar: teams working long hours, errors creeping in, costs rising, processes that no longer feel fit for purpose, and information that is too difficult to obtain when needed.

The harder question is, “What is actually causing the problem?”

Introducing the speakers

That is the starting point for Episode 4 of SenseCheck by FundSense, where Jamie Keen, Founder of FundSense, speaks with Mike Hilton, Head of Product Practice at Investment Solutions Consultants, about why technology and consultancy need to work together when asset managers are trying to deliver change.

Jamie Keen is the Founder of FundSense. In this episode, he brings the perspective of a technology provider working with asset managers on operational and regulatory challenges.

Mike Hilton is Head of Product Practice at Investment Solutions Consultants. He has worked in financial services for more than 30 years, including around 25 years in asset management, mainly in the change space. ISC was set up just over 20 years ago to provide change delivery to asset managers, including investment managers, wealth managers, and insurance companies. Its work includes providing project managers, programme directors, business analysts, and other specialist change skills where firms either do not have those skills in-house or need additional support for specific programmes. 

Key talking points from the episode

·       Clients know something is wrong before they can define the issue

·       Consultants help diagnose the process, data, people, authority, and tools

·       Technology should not automate bad or undocumented processes

·       Assessment of Value shows the partnership in practice

·       Independence matters in vendor/consultant relationships

·       Boutique consultancies bring embedded, practical knowledge

·       Continuity through implementation reduces risk

·       External expertise helps when internal teams are stretched

·       AI accelerates work, but does not replace judgement or process understanding

Who should listen?

This episode is relevant for asset managers thinking about transformation, technology implementation, process improvement, regulatory workflows, or change delivery.

It will be particularly useful for:

·       COOs and operational leaders;

·       Heads of change and transformation;

·       Product governance teams;

·       Technology and data teams;

·       Consultants working with asset managers;

·       Firms preparing for an RFP, implementation, or workflow automation project.

It will also be useful for teams that know something is not working, but have not yet fully defined whether the issue sits in the process, the data, the technology, the resourcing model, or the way decisions are made.

Listen to Episode 4 of SenseCheck

Episode 4 of SenseCheck by FundSense offers a practical discussion on how technology firms and consultants can work together to support better outcomes for asset managers.